Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma says he’s been ‘tough’ and refused to fund her bikini range after she ‘ran out of money’

MICHAEL Owen’s daughter Gemma has slammed trolls who accused her of using her dad’s cash to fund her new bikini line.

The 18-year-old decided on a career change during lockdown and said she used birthday money to set up the business.

But the teenager, who has represented Britain at dressage, denied she has direct access to her former England hero dad’s huge wealth.

She said: “I get negative comments and nasty messages a lot.

“In my dressage, if I’m doing well, I get comments like “you’re only doing well because daddy bought you an expensive horse” and then with me trying to set up my own business I get “you’re using daddy’s money.”

“It’s constant but I want to make it clear to people that with the business side of things it hasn’t been an open wallet.

“I got given some money for my birthday and that was my budget. I quickly ran out of that and there are so many more things that I want to do with the brand but I am going to have to wait now until the money comes back in.

“I am extremely lucky but I would say my dad has actually been… not tight, but he’s been quite tough.”

She added to : “He said this is your budget and I’m not funding this.”

She launched her OG Beachwear collection last week, featuring sizzling shots of her modelling a slew of skimpy bikinis.

Gemma’s line includes bikinis starting from £130 and men’s swimming trunks for £110.

Her dad Michael, 42, who scored 40 goals for England gushed about his daughter’s ambition: “Pretty damn proud of my daughter.”

Gemma, who has represented Britain at dressage, decided on a career change during lockdown.

She said: “My other passions are travel and fashion and that is how the dream of having my own swimwear label was born.”

Its website promises garments that “ooze class and sophistication, with a hint of youth and sexiness”.